Written questions by Mohamed.

What estimate she has made of the cost to local authorities of the provisions in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill on visiting home educated children, including travel time.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will empower local authorities to request to see a child in any of the homes in which the child lives within 15 days of the local authority recording the child’s home address(es) on their Children Not in School (CNIS) registers. The 15-day timeframe applies, irrespective of school holidays. After this point, the Bill also empowers local authorities to request a home visit for the purpose of determining whether to serve a preliminary notice or School Attendance Order (SAO).If the parent on whom the request was made refuses the home visit, the local authority must take this into account when deciding whether to issue a preliminary notice or a SAO. As is the case now, parents of children subject to a SAO would only be subject to sanctions, such as fines, if found guilty in court of the offence of breaching the order. Parents may be found guilty if they do not enrol their child at the named school and are unable to demonstrate that they are providing a suitable education for their child and/or, where relevant, that education outside of a school is in their child’s best interests.The department does not currently collect data on the number of home visits carried out by local authorities in relation to home educated children, nor on the living arrangements or family dynamics of those children.However, we will provide local authorities with additional funding to support them to carry out their new duties. The amount of funding will be determined via a new burdens assessment.We will also provide statutory guidance, which will be publicly consulted on, and a training package to support parents and local authorities to understand how the CNIS measures should work in practice, including how the measures apply in situations where children live across more than one household.

Whether the proposed 15 day limit for local authority visits to home educated children in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill would apply to (a) requesting the visit, (b) finalising arrangements for a visit or (c) carrying out the visit.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will empower local authorities to request to see a child in any of the homes in which the child lives within 15 days of the local authority recording the child’s home address(es) on their Children Not in School (CNIS) registers. The 15-day timeframe applies, irrespective of school holidays. After this point, the Bill also empowers local authorities to request a home visit for the purpose of determining whether to serve a preliminary notice or School Attendance Order (SAO).If the parent on whom the request was made refuses the home visit, the local authority must take this into account when deciding whether to issue a preliminary notice or a SAO. As is the case now, parents of children subject to a SAO would only be subject to sanctions, such as fines, if found guilty in court of the offence of breaching the order. Parents may be found guilty if they do not enrol their child at the named school and are unable to demonstrate that they are providing a suitable education for their child and/or, where relevant, that education outside of a school is in their child’s best interests.The department does not currently collect data on the number of home visits carried out by local authorities in relation to home educated children, nor on the living arrangements or family dynamics of those children.However, we will provide local authorities with additional funding to support them to carry out their new duties. The amount of funding will be determined via a new burdens assessment.We will also provide statutory guidance, which will be publicly consulted on, and a training package to support parents and local authorities to understand how the CNIS measures should work in practice, including how the measures apply in situations where children live across more than one household.

Whether her Department holds information on the number of home educated children with separated parents living at different addresses.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will empower local authorities to request to see a child in any of the homes in which the child lives within 15 days of the local authority recording the child’s home address(es) on their Children Not in School (CNIS) registers. The 15-day timeframe applies, irrespective of school holidays. After this point, the Bill also empowers local authorities to request a home visit for the purpose of determining whether to serve a preliminary notice or School Attendance Order (SAO).If the parent on whom the request was made refuses the home visit, the local authority must take this into account when deciding whether to issue a preliminary notice or a SAO. As is the case now, parents of children subject to a SAO would only be subject to sanctions, such as fines, if found guilty in court of the offence of breaching the order. Parents may be found guilty if they do not enrol their child at the named school and are unable to demonstrate that they are providing a suitable education for their child and/or, where relevant, that education outside of a school is in their child’s best interests.The department does not currently collect data on the number of home visits carried out by local authorities in relation to home educated children, nor on the living arrangements or family dynamics of those children.However, we will provide local authorities with additional funding to support them to carry out their new duties. The amount of funding will be determined via a new burdens assessment.We will also provide statutory guidance, which will be publicly consulted on, and a training package to support parents and local authorities to understand how the CNIS measures should work in practice, including how the measures apply in situations where children live across more than one household.

What steps he is taking to incentivise the installation of insulation to reduce private rented sector tenants’ energy bills.

The Warm Homes Plan will cut bills, with an offer for every household, whether they own their home, rent privately, or live in social housing. We will reach up to five million homes by 2030, through direct support for those on low incomes and in fuel poverty, grants and innovative low-interest finance available to all. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is accessible to those living in privately rented accommodation, subject to eligibility. We are also standing up for renters through our new minimum energy efficiency standards in the private and social rented sectors, which will lift around 650,000 households out of fuel poverty.From 1 October 2030, private rented homes must meet the required standard, or have a valid exemption registered in order to be let.

What steps he is taking in the Warm Homes Plan to support insulation upgrades for fuel-poor households in the private rented sector.

The Warm Homes Plan will cut bills, with an offer for every household, whether they own their home, rent privately, or live in social housing. We will reach up to five million homes by 2030, through direct support for those on low incomes and in fuel poverty, grants and innovative low-interest finance available to all. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is accessible to those living in privately rented accommodation, subject to eligibility. We are also standing up for renters through our new minimum energy efficiency standards in the private and social rented sectors, which will lift around 650,000 households out of fuel poverty.From 1 October 2030, private rented homes must meet the required standard, or have a valid exemption registered in order to be let.

What recent estimate he has made of the number of households in fuel poverty who live in properties that do not have loft insulation.

The latest annual fuel poverty statistics estimate that around 873,000 households in England were in fuel poverty in 2025 and lived in properties with under 125 mm of loft insulation, equivalent to a fuel poverty rate of 13.3% for this group. This compares with a rate of fuel poverty of around 7.8% (1.17 million households) among households with 125 mm or more of loft insulation, and 9% (316,000 households) among households where loft insulation is not applicable. These estimates are produced under the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) metric and are published in Table 17 of the Fuel poverty detailed tables 2026 (2025 data).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to Question 113276, and with reference to her Department's press release entitled New international coalition launched to end violence against women and girls globally published on 2 December 2025, how commitments made to tackling online abuse of women and girls in the press release will be funded.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers have committed to a new project on Preventing Technology-Facilitated Violence against Women and Girls to be launched this year. Final budget allocations for this and other work in the VAWG portfolio will be set out in due course.

What steps he is taking to ensure continuity of ADHD care for people on the right to choose waiting list in England when they move to Scotland to take up a place at University.

Healthcare is a devolved matter and the Right to Choose applies only to National Health Services commissioned in England. When a person moves from England to Scotland, their healthcare, including access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment and treatment, becomes the responsibility of NHS Scotland, which operates under its own clinical pathways, eligibility criteria, and commissioning arrangements.

What assessment has been made of the potential economic impact of introducing longer qualifying periods for settlement, including the proposed 15‑year period, for roles below RQF Level 6.

From 8 April 2026, the English language requirement for settlement will be raised from level B1 to level B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for most routes that currently require B1. This increase will take effect on 26 March 2027, allowing those already on a pathway to settlement a 12-month period in which to undertake any necessary learning or preparation. We believe this will strengthen long-term integration outcomes.The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on changes to the qualifying residence period for settlement; and the proposal for those working in roles below RQF level 6 to have a 15-year qualifying period for settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment has been made of the potential impact on local authorities of families remaining on temporary immigration status for up to 10 or 15 years.

From 8 April 2026, the English language requirement for settlement will be raised from level B1 to level B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for most routes that currently require B1. This increase will take effect on 26 March 2027, allowing those already on a pathway to settlement a 12-month period in which to undertake any necessary learning or preparation. We believe this will strengthen long-term integration outcomes.The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on changes to the qualifying residence period for settlement; and the proposal for those working in roles below RQF level 6 to have a 15-year qualifying period for settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of earned settlement proposals requiring applicants to meet B2 English proficiency on lower income groups.

From 8 April 2026, the English language requirement for settlement will be raised from level B1 to level B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for most routes that currently require B1. This increase will take effect on 26 March 2027, allowing those already on a pathway to settlement a 12-month period in which to undertake any necessary learning or preparation. We believe this will strengthen long-term integration outcomes.The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on changes to the qualifying residence period for settlement; and the proposal for those working in roles below RQF level 6 to have a 15-year qualifying period for settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What discussions her department has had with local authorities regarding potential service pressures in children's services and housing as a result of the earned settlement proposals.

From 8 April 2026, the English language requirement for settlement will be raised from level B1 to level B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for most routes that currently require B1. This increase will take effect on 26 March 2027, allowing those already on a pathway to settlement a 12-month period in which to undertake any necessary learning or preparation. We believe this will strengthen long-term integration outcomes.The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on changes to the qualifying residence period for settlement; and the proposal for those working in roles below RQF level 6 to have a 15-year qualifying period for settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on the number of children waiting for settlement of the findings of the IPPR report entitled Far from Settled: The government’s ‘earned settlement’ consultation, 9 February 2026.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on children which we are considering carefully.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of earned settlement proposals on child poverty, young people’s opportunities and access to citizenship for long‑resident children.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on children which we are considering carefully.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What estimate she has made of the number of individuals on five‑year routes who may be impacted if new immigration rules are implemented from April 2026.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on children which we are considering carefully.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UKVI system on the standard settlement qualifying period .

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on children which we are considering carefully.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

Whether her Department has undertaken a Child Rights impact assessment of proposals to change indefinite leave to remain.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on children which we are considering carefully.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

When she will publish operational guidance for the recently amended Section 7 of the Public Order Act 2023.

In February the Government made the Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2026 to amend the definition of key national infrastructure in the Public Order Act 2023, to include life sciences infrastructure. This extended the offence of deliberate or reckless disruption or interference with the use or operation of key national infrastructure in England and Wales to the life sciences sector. The regulations came into force on 12 February 2026.The College of Policing, in collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, will shortly be issuing operational guidance to police force command teams on this legislative change.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the growth of generative AI on creative jobs.

The Government recognises that AI is transforming workplaces, demanding new skills and augmenting existing roles. The scale of future change remains uncertain. We are therefore planning against a range of plausible outcomes to ensure workers continue to have access to good, meaningful employment.To aid this, the Government has launched the AI and the Future of Work Unit - a cross‑government function dedicated to ensuring AI delivers positive outcomes for the economy, jobs, and workers.This Unit is designed to prepare the UK for AI-driven labour market transformation by researching and monitoring AI’s impact on the economic and labour market, to provide timely advice on when new policies should be implemented. For example, we have recently published an assessment of AI capabilities and their impact on the UK labour market evaluates trends in AI driven productivity gains and workforce exposure to AI.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in which Directorate will the Women, Peace and Security and the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative sit within the new structure of the Foreign Office.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is currently working through detailed decisions on the organisational and resource changes arising from our FCDO2030 transformation programme. We will make further announcements in the coming months. In the interim, I would refer the Hon Member to the speech made by the Foreign Secretary on 24 November 2025, reiterating the Government's commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/twenty-five-years-of-women-peace-and-security.